Laois tractor driver avoids jail for going too slow
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A MAN who was driving a tractor at a slow speed on the motorway, while pulling a trailer transporting a low loader, received a three-month suspended prison sentence last week at Portlaoise District Court.
Jamie Dooley (20), Grennan, Attanagh, Laois pleaded guilty to careless driving and to driving without insurance and a driving licence on the M7 at Trumera, Mountrath on 15 July.
Garda Sgt Jason Hughes said Mr Dooley had been charged with careless driving, because of the slow manner in which he had been driving on the motorway. When stopped, he failed to produce insurance or a driving licence.
Sgt Hughes said the accused had received a conviction in 2025 for a drink-driving offence that occurred in July 2024.
“This was lethal,” said Judge Andrew Cody. “Anybody driving up into the back of that loader was gone.”
Sgt Hughes said: “He was travelling so slow that other vehicles had to brake before overtaking him.”
Judge Cody observed: “There were two prongs sticking out of the loader on the back of the trailer. Anybody coming up on him would have been impaled in their car.”
Defending solicitor Josephine Fitzpatrick said that, on the day, her client had been helping his father, who runs his own welding and repair business. He accepted that “the low loader caused difficulties”.
The solicitor added: “He has health issues that lead him to make poor decisions at times. He appreciates the difficulties he caused and is asking the court to do the best it can for him.”
Judge Cody convicted Mr Dooley on all three charges.
For driving while uninsured, a three-month sentence was imposed, suspended for three years, as well as a €500 fine and disqualification from driving for three years. For careless driving, he was fined €500 and banned from driving for three years and for driving without a licence, Judge Cody imposed a three-year driving disqualification and a €200 fine.
